West Ham players plan T-shirt tribute for sick starlet Tombides

West Ham players will wear T-shirts
in support of academy star Dylan Tombides on Staurday after he was told
he needs an operation to remove cancerous tumours.

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce approved
the players' request to warm up in specially designed T-shirts as a
tribute to the young Australian before the home Championship match with
Nottingham Forest.

Skipper Kevin Nolan, along with senior players including Carlton Cole, made the request earlier this week.

The striker, who came through the ranks at West Ham, will have an
operation to remove cancerous cells in his lymph glands next week.

Tombides, who signed his first professional contract at Upton Park last summer, was originally diagnosed with testicular cancer during the Under 17 World Cup in June and has since been having chemotherapy.

He had been making progress and hoped to return to training towards the end of last year. But he suffered a setback just before Christmas and requires the operation urgently.

Show of support: Hammers captain Kevin Nolan

Tombides, whose brother is also in the Hammers academy, has been treated at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London throughout his ordeal.

He is still determined to fight back and his team-mates, along with Allardyce and club officials, have been fully supportive in his battle.